Foundation Brings Renovation to LCS Classrooms, Fuels Student Success

Zion Solutions Group and its Acts Of Kindness (AOK) Foundation recently volunteered to renovate LaRue County Schools Exceptional Education classrooms. By updating these classrooms, the AOK team equipped students with disabilities with tools they can use for critical hands-on learning in the upcoming year.

The Zion Solutions team worked to improve a kitchen for students with disabilities. This kitchen will teach valuable life skills that students in the Exceptional Education classes can use outside of the school system.

Jim Shaw, President & Co-Founder of Zion Solutions Group, noted that giving back aligns with the core of the company.

“Zion’s Core Purpose is ‘To leave a positive impact on the lives of those we touch,’” he said. “We have a simple message we share as our vision, ‘Deliver Memorable Experiences and Guide Intelligent Change.’”

Out of that purpose came the company’s charity initiative — Acts of Kindness (AOK).

“Our mission for Zion’s Acts of Kindness (AOK) is to focus on generosity, paying it forward, giving back, and serving our communities,” Shaw said. “We believe where there are strong communities; there are individuals, families, and businesses all working together for a better world for everyone.”

Quoting Acts 4:34, he continued: “We aspire to see a day where there is not a needy person among us.”

Savannah Boone, Director of Special Education for LaRue County Schools, said that collaborations between the school system and local businesses are essential for students with disabilities.

“We hope that by collaborating with community partners, our students will feel more included within their schools and communities,” Boone explained. “We also hope that people within the community will become more inclusive of and knowledgeable about people with disabilities. It means the world to us when community partners like Zion invest in the experience of our students. What it says to me is that they value the education of ALL students, regardless of ability level.”

Shaw explained that children of all backgrounds are the future of our community. Investing in that future is critical for the success of all businesses, he said.

“My personal opinion is that the school system is a huge part of any community and our children are our future,” he said. “I can also almost guarantee you that where there is a healthy community there are private businesses, government & community leaders, a school system and others all working together and doing their part to make that community a great place to live and raise a family.”

“We have made it a focus for Zion that we will support and serve our local communities through volunteer time, charitable donations, AOK, supporting internships, speaking at local schools and other forms of mentoring,” he continued. “If you know me, you know I am proud to be a member of our community and have deep family roots here in Larue County. As an individual and through our business we are excited and honored to be able to give back and be a supportive member of the community.”

Boone said that she’s grateful to the variety of businesses who have collaborated with her department. She said in the last year alone, organizational partners included Zion, the LaRue County Extension Office, Kentucky Farm Bureau, the Hodgenville Police Department, Magnolia Bank, Lincoln National Bank, Hodgenville City Government, LaRue County Government, the LaRue County Public Library, Nolin RECC, Communicare, the LaRue County Herald News, the Sweet Shoppe, and McDonalds.

“We are so blessed to be in a community that wants to learn more and be more inclusive,” she said.